Review of June 9 Eastbound Transatlantic

[Paul NH]

The size of the Queen Mary 2 is really quite amazing, if you do not take her for granted. As the end of the crossing approached my wife and I both agreed that we had barely scratched the surface in some areas. Three or four days into the voyage my wife said she had still not managed to see the library, Commodore Club, Atlantic Room, or Observation Deck. On the last full day we overheard a woman asking the Purser where Illuminations was (although that example seems a bit behind the curve). There was so much to see and so much we could have done.

 

Looking back on the crossing, it surprises me how little my wife and I participated in scheduled events. There were plenty of interesting things in the Daily Programme, but between breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner, gazing out at the sea, writing in the journal, exploring the ship, and walking the decks, there never seemed to be enough time to do other things. Even events we were interested in, like ballroom dance lessons for instance, conflicted with our informal agenda and we never made it to any of them. We made a decision in advance that not to run around from one thing to another only to end up missing the relaxed pace a gliding along the Atlantic. We kept true to that for the most part.

 

The Queen’s Room is definitely one of the nicest. Although we managed to dance in there in the evenings, I do not think we put our dance lessons to much use. The dance floor was so crowded that it was impossible for novices like ourselves to dance the waltz or fox trot. For example, our teacher told us that the ballroom floor would have a pattern to it, a counter-clockwise flow, cautioning us to either stay in the middle of the floor or on the very outer edges, since most seasoned dancers to those two steps would be dancing along, like drivers in the main lanes of a highway. What we saw instead, was a packed floor with no flow whatsoever, and it seemed to me that very few people were actually doing a proper waltz or fox trot, respectively. When it is that crowded, you have to be a skilled dancer to be able to hold your step while navigating around such a crowd. For practicing novices like my wife and I, it was hopeless. No big deal from a dance perspective, but a little disappointing that we did not get to practice what little we knew. Because of the tight space, we lapsed back into our old pattern of dancing, just kind of making our way feelance step style – like most. Still had a good time. Once in a while there would be a focus on a professional couple or two, where they would clear the floor for them, and they were impressive. The band was very good. When we were sitting at our table I really enjoyed just listening to the music. Once in a while they would organize humorous dances with the passengers which was a good break in routine. One of the nights (either when we were heading into the rough seas or just coming out of it) we were dancing in the Queens Room and a larger than normal roll occurred and I felt my wife and I going “downhill” across the floor. I looked around, and the whole dance floor was going in the same direction, with a large area opening up at the top of the floor. Very amusing to watch this effect.

 

On a couple of nights we went into the G32 Club. It may have just been the timing, around 10 p.m. or so, or this particular voyage, but there were hardly ever any people in there. One night the band who were originally playing reggae on deck during the departure, were playing in there and there were about five people in the audience. I felt bad for them. I do not know if the place picks up as it gets later, towards midnight for instance. Also, maybe eastbound crossings and the loss of an hour every night results in fewer late night G32 party-ers. One night we went in dressed in our formal attire, and the B52s “Love Shack” came was playing, and we danced to it. When the song ended, we went through the doors into the Queen’s Room and the contrast between “Love Shack” and the ballroom music that was playing was hysterical. Talk about culture shock. It was like stepping out of the 80’s directly into the 40’s. But that is a positive reflection on the variety of entertainment that you can find on board.

 

A chamber quartet would frequently play in the Ground Lobby, just across from the Purser’s Office. A couple of times we were heading from point A to point B and came upon them playing and stopped to listen for a while. They too were very good.

 

Our crossing left on a Thursday afternoon and arrived Wednesday morning in Southampton. John Cleese was interviewed by Brian the Social Director, in the Royal Court Theater on Saturday morning. We missed his wife speak the day before, and I heard Mr. Cleese sat in on that as well and contributed a few words. The did a follow-up session on Monday morning as well. Both times were entertaining. They were somewhat serious interviews, but of course John Cleese lightened it up with humor throughout his answers. I liked the Royal Court Theater. It was comfortable, provide good views, and was an impressive room. We also attended the Welcome Show on Thursday night there, and as I mentioned earlier, I attended the Sunday service conducted by Captain Warwick. Beyond that, we skipped all the other shows in the theater, and there seemed to be many of them. There were numerous times I walked past the entrance heading somewhere else and there was something going on in there, day and night.

 

There is an impressive exercise center on Deck 7 forward. I will probably annoy some with this observation, but I have to make it. While I was walking the Boat Deck in the fresh air, admiring the ship all around me and the Atlantic Ocean as far as the eye could see, I would pass by the windows of the Exercise Room when circling around the front of the deck and frequently see many people using the stationary treadmills. This strikes me as bizarre. I have trouble understanding why someone would walk indoors on a stationary machine - even when the weather was sunny and warm - when there is this fantastic promenade area just outside. I do not get that at all. But anyway, the exercise room remained a popular place for many throughout the voyage. My 13 year old son was the only one who used it out from our family.

 

Another nice area of the ship is the enclosed pool on the top deck. I enjoyed swimming there and in the two Jacuzzis. This pool was heavily used throughout the voyage, including by a lot of children. An associate told me recently that on a RCL cruise, there was a very classy swimming pool for adults-only, and that it was much appreciated. Adults could go and relax away from the kids. I was reminded of this tidbit of information when watching the kids splashing all around the QM2 enclosed pool. My wife told me once, when I was not there, that kids were jumping off the Jacuzzi into the pool and making such a commotion that some adults went to get staff to find their parents, which they were unable to do. Now keep in mind, I am a father, and therefore have a vested interest in seeing that kids have things to do as well on the QM2, but even I was thinking it would be nice to be able to go to this pool and relax without the steady splashing of kids. Maybe Cunard could give this some additional thought during future refits and create a second enclosed pool for kids. Anyway, the pool is beautiful and this was a well designed room. I never went in the larger pool back at the stern. It was netted over during the rougher seas, but my son did swim in it several times when it was open. I also saw adults swimming in it as well.

 

We went to Illuminations on the afternoon of our last full day at sea. There seemed to be plenty of seats open when the show started. By then, I was exhausted from staying up to midnight or later most nights, plus the loss of an hour every night, and within minutes of the show starting, I fell asleep, trying unsuccessfully to wake myself back up several times during the film. About two minutes before the end, my son said, “Dad, you’re sleeping!” and shook me awake. As we walked out of the theater, my wife, who had been sitting on the other side of me, said, “Wooh, I slept through most of that show.” So much for Illuminations – through no fault of its own.

 

We had pre-dinner cocktails on two separate nights in Sir Samuels, and another night in the Commodore Club, the night we met Dan Z. Sir Samuels was an okay room. The service was a little slow, and several people who sat down in the lounge ended up leaving without getting served. The second night the service was much better, and we were sitting closer to the windows, near the rear entrance to one of the shops. That seemed like a nicer location. We tried just about every night to have pre-dinner drinks in the Chart Room, but it was always filled up. That was the most desirable room for drinks as far as I was concerned, and I was envious of all those who had seats. It is a cheerful looking place at that time of day, and always had some classy live jazz playing. I think the lucky people who were seated there enjoyed watching the well-dressed passengers parading through, all looking for a place to sit. Sir Samuels was sort of the consolation prize many ended up at. I really enjoyed the Commodore Club. The days were so long, that it was still well lit with daylight when we were there for pre-dinner cocktails. The martinis are good there. Somebody mentioned that in an earlier review; it may have been Peter (Guernsey).

 

Since I read about supposed plans to rip out the Winter Garden in a coming refit, I came on board intent on spending time there so that I could remember it once it was gone. However, I think I sat down in it once for only a couple of minutes. I do not know what it is about that room, but there is something wrong with it. It is not ugly or anything like that. For some reason, it is like it has no soul. I think the culprit may be the walkway lined with those fake-looking trees, which cuts through the middle of the room. It did not help that it was frequently hijacked and turned topsy-turvy by those art auctions for hours. One evening I saw a large crowd there having drinks and thought, “Well, look at that, people are actually congregating in the Winter Garden.” As I came closer there was a sign posted and it was, in fact, an organized meeting by a travel agency.

 

I mentioned this before in an earlier post, but everyone we met on board were in the best of moods (except the doctors office during the rough seas) and seemed very easy to talk to. The family that dined with us for only the first night routinely bumped into us during the crossing and we would always stop and chat for a while. People at breakfast and lunch who were seated with were all in friendly, talkative moods, as were we. It was a very upbeat environment.

 

Unfortunately, I never found the time for the Golden Lions Pub (except when I was seasick and laid on the couch there early Sunday morning). The several times that I walked through it though, it always looked like a good place to hang out, although sometimes it seemed smoky. We never went to the casino either, although a couple of times early in the morning I sat on their huge window sills and watched the ocean from there. I would have like to at least looked over the Todd English Restaurant and its foyer, but after only passing distractedly through it the first day, I never saw it again and forgot all about it.

 

Now, that brings us to the Zone, all the way aft on Deck 8. What a great place for kids. My two boys went there a lot and made friends with others their age. The staff had a lot of structured activities as well as games, videos and movies there to keep them occupied. Dan Z did a good job describing it in an earlier post. Forward on the ship near the entrance to the Royal Court Theater, was a pretty well-equipped video arcade as well, including an air hockey table. The room seemed to get a good amount of use by mostly kids, but I saw adults in there as well sometimes.

 

There never seemed to be crowds anywhere. I think that is one of the fringe benefits of a crossing. People never really have to queue up anywhere. The ship always seemed lively, but never crowded.

 

Summary thoughts next.

 

Paul

[Estelle]

Thanks for your latest installment - we leave for London a week from today and can't wait. Our kids aren't going (summer job conflicts and the fact that this is our 20th anniversary cruise) so they won't let us talk about it with them around since they love to cruise so this is my major fix at the moment.

 

Thanks so much for your thoughts - I plan to do the same when I get back.

[Finch]

Peter,

 

Thank you for answering about the davits.

 

Finch

[aaannnthony]

Paul, just for info versus our thoughts, how did you like/dislike Brian, the CD?

[DanZ]

Anthony:

 

Brian came across all right. He did tend to gush a bit, and one or two steps further and he might have been over the top. But overall he seemed to fill the space between those who just want the information (that would be me) and those who want to feel like they are part of some magical family that have come together for just this one time. I'm not sure I needed the narration leaving NY. There's enough magic in it for it to stand on its own. But then again, I grew up there and knew what I was looking at.

 

I came away admiring him for his sheer energy and his ability to want to relate to all those kind but demanding strangers.

[DanZ]

Hi Paul:

 

I just realized that I posted 3 (now 4) replies in a row... I think I just discovered my first addiction. It's a 151,000 ton lady called the QM2.

 

Dan

[aaannnthony]

DanZ, I asked for Paul's thoughts, not yours!

 

BTW, isn't it, in fact, 10 hours, not just five.....you failed to reply to my post #43!

[DanZ]

Sorry to offend, aaannnthony. Since you were asking in a public forum, I thought it would be fine to render an opinion.

 

As for the time difference, let's hear from others on the board...

 

Question: If passengers on the QM2 traveling westbound set their watch back one hour every night for five nights, do they accumulate five or ten extra hours on the ship?

 

Thank you everyone.

[guernseyguy]

Sorry to offend, aaannnthony. Since you were asking in a public forum, I thought it would be fine to render an opinion.

 

As for the time difference, let's hear from others on the board...

 

Question: If passengers on the QM2 traveling westbound set their watch back one hour every night for five nights, do they accumulate five or ten extra hours on the ship?

 

Thank you everyone.

 

DanZ,

 

I think the (somewhat academic) point aaaanthony is trying to make is that the difference between a westbound crossing (+5 hours) and an eastbound one (-5 hours) is 10 hours - but of course, if you do both, you gain precisely zero hours!

 

Peter

[elaine61]

Thanks for your latest installment - we leave for London a week from today and can't wait. Our kids aren't going (summer job conflicts and the fact that this is our 20th anniversary cruise) so they won't let us talk about it with them around since they love to cruise so this is my major fix at the moment.

 

Thanks so much for your thoughts - I plan to do the same when I get back.

 

Estelle

 

When we finally get on board QM2 it will be to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Our anniversary was actually back in February, but we specifically wanted to do the splendours of the fall cruise and as I don't fly we are able to do the two crossings as well. It's ideal for me!! We are taking our kids with us as it is the only way we are going to see the US and Canada together. They have both been to the US and Canada before with their father as they all don't mind flying. Our son will be 19 and our daughter will be 22 whilst on board.

 

Anyway, I hope the weather over here holds out for your visit. We have had some lovely sunny days but they are very humid and clammy!! Over the past couple of days too we have had some terrible storms. I have never seen so much rain come down in such a short space of time!!!!

 

I hope you've got plenty planned for your stay in London??

 

Elaine

[elaine61]

The size of the Queen Mary 2 is really quite amazing, if you do not take her for granted. As the end of the crossing approached my wife and I both agreed that we had barely scratched the surface in some areas. Three or four days into the voyage my wife said she had still not managed to see the library, Commodore Club, Atlantic Room, or Observation Deck. On the last full day we overheard a woman asking the Purser where Illuminations was (although that example seems a bit behind the curve). There was so much to see and so much we could have done. Paul

 

Wow yet another instalment that makes me wish I was getting ready to board QM2 now rather than having to wait nearly 11 weeks!!!! Still they are only weeks and not months!!

 

I am getting so excited about it all reading your reviews despite our cabin problems which have now been rectified.

 

I am learning a lot from your posts. As we gain time going across the pond I need to make the most of the trip over and then take it easier on the way back!! You and your wife seemed to have missed so much. I know we are on there for a long time so should be able to take it all in. From the sound of it we will not have time to get bored!! I presume you get one of those little getting around the ship leaflets about the same size as a credit card to get you around the ship??

 

Can you explain a bit more about illuminations for me please Paul?? Is it the same show all the time or are there different ones??

 

Something that has not been mentioned is a cinema. My husband and kids tend to like to visit the cinema when we are on board ship. Does QM2 have a dedicated cinema?? If so were they showing relatively new films?? I was looking somewhere at a photosite where someone had posted the in cabin tv viewing and I was not impressed at all. The films all seemed really old. Mrs Doubtfire, meet the parents, father of the bride!!!!! that kind of thing. But I think this was from a trip in 2004. Don't get me wrong I actually like those films but just thought they would have something newer on. I mean you can pick them films up here on a buy 5 DVD's for £15 type deal!!

 

Elaine

[Paul NH]

Our son will be 19 and our daughter will be 22 whilst on board.

Elaine, I saw about a dozen young men and women in that age category on the trip and they appeared in passing to be having a good time. Paul

[Paul NH]

Paul, just for info versus our thoughts, how did you like/dislike Brian, the CD?

Anthony,

 

Brian was fine as far as I was concerned. Holding true to an apparent policy of non-intrusiveness, I actually heard very little from him. He conducted the narraration going down the Hudson (at least I think that was him), he hosted the welcome show in the Royal Court Theater the first night, he did a good job interviewing John Cleese the two separate times, and he introduced the staff officers at the Commodore's Gala Cocktail mid-voyage. Beyond that, I did not hear or see him, although I think he was more visible if you went to more scheduled events. On the last full day (Tuesday) I remember going into the Queens Room to photograph it in some detail, and come to think of it he was involved in an event in progress. It was quite raucous and the audience and staff were all laughing hysterically, but I had come in late and did not know what was happening. That event ended and they went onto Bingo while I was still walking around snapping pictures, and I cannot remember if he was the one calling out the numbers.

 

So, I think if you wanted to go off on your own agenda and mind your own business (like we pretty much did), Brian was not very visible (which in my opinion is a good thing). If you went to the events, I think you see a lot more of Brian. From the second perspective, I could not comment on how he was. Overall, he seemed to strike the right balance of being a gentleman, and yet a boisterous-enough speaker to liven things up when required.

 

Paul

[Paul NH]

Thanks for your latest installment - we leave for London a week from today and can't wait ...

 

Thanks so much for your thoughts - I plan to do the same when I get back.

You are luckier to be looking forward to it (instead of reflecting back on it). Make sure to manage expectations, though. Nits will almost certainly happen. But with the right expectations, it is a great time. Enjoy the trip!

[Paul NH]

DanZ,I think the (somewhat academic) point aaaanthony is trying to make is that the difference between a westbound crossing (+5 hours) and an eastbound one (-5 hours) is 10 hours - but of course, if you do both, you gain precisely zero hours!Peter

This is one of those cases where everyone is right. I realized this same issue several days into the voyage. Since you only turn you clock forward one hour each night eastbound, the total time lost from the voyage is 5 hours. That is the reality. But, if you compare the eastbound to a westbound, a westbound has 10 more hours than an eastbound. If you lost 5 hours on an eastbound trip, and you compare that to a westbound where you gained 5 hours, the difference in the trips is 10 hours. But again, bottom line is you lose 5 hours on an eastbound.

 

In my opinion, that is the price you pay to start your vacation from sailing out of New York, which is a premium experience. Knowing your whole voyage is ahead of you as you sail by the skyline is probably a better experience than knowing you are at the end of the trip and you have to go through the logistics of disembarking in a short while. I believe it would not be the same kind of jubilant feeling then going by the skyline. I am sure it is still just as interesting, but a different feeling/experience.

[Paul NH]

I presume you get one of those little getting around the ship leaflets about the same size as a credit card to get you around the ship??

 

Can you explain a bit more about illuminations for me please Paul?? Is it the same show all the time or are there different ones??

 

Something that has not been mentioned is a cinema. My husband and kids tend to like to visit the cinema when we are on board ship. Does QM2 have a dedicated cinema??

Elaine,

 

I do not recall a little card. What I thought was excellent was the ship diagrams located in all the stairwells and a few other places that showed where you were, a diagram of the deck you were on, and a side view of the ship with al the deck and public rooms. I used it several times throughout the ship. Also very useful is the listing of all the public rooms right above the elevator buttons.

 

I am afraid I am the wrong person to ask about Illuminations since I slept through the whole thing. Maybe someone else could comment.

 

There were movies on board, but I never paid them any heed. National Treasure was playing once, I know. I think they play them in Illuminations. They were playing all the Fawlty Tower Episodes on TV - John Cleese's show. They were great watching when we needed to relax back at the cabin. Had us in stitches many times.

 

Paul

[iceman666]

In April we got a card/leaflet in our room when we arrived. It opened into a slightly larger sheet with all the decks shown and we carried it everywhere. It wasn't too difficult to read and so long as you remembered which way you were going (towards the front or back) then it was very useful.

 

Illuminations showed three different planetarium programmes. "Stars over the Atlantic" "Infinity Express" and "Search for Life". All were excellent but the first was definitely the best for us. Sit in the middle of the red seats towards the back for the best view. Some seats were not reclining when we were on in April so try to get one that does ! You should also get to the door early as it is usually full. I remember tickets were available in Connexions or from the Consierge Lounge.

[Paul NH]

Here is a picture of the wave washing over the Deck 2 windows.

[Estelle]

Estelle

 

 

Anyway, I hope the weather over here holds out for your visit. We have had some lovely sunny days but they are very humid and clammy!! Over the past couple of days too we have had some terrible storms. I have never seen so much rain come down in such a short space of time!!!!

 

I hope you've got plenty planned for your stay in London??

 

Elaine

 

We were in England 3 years ago at this time of year and had the most beautiful weather imaginable - no rain at all and a high temp in the upper 70s. I know we lucked out on that trip. We've been following Wimbledon so I have an idea how the weather has been recently. I can handle a little rain but would prefer no humidity - the east coast of the US seems to be constant humidity from the end of May through Sept with outbreaks of severe thunderstorms to liven it up!

 

We've got more planned for the 3 days we are in London than we can fit in - I was a history major in college (concentrating on England/Ireland) so I can fill up many many hours. It's a wonderful city - we're from NY and love big, noisy, fast-paced cities!

 

Thanks for your good wishes!

[Estelle]

You are luckier to be looking forward to it (instead of reflecting back on it). Make sure to manage expectations, though. Nits will almost certainly happen. But with the right expectations, it is a great time. Enjoy the trip!

 

I don't expect perfection - nothing in life is perfect and I feel sorry for those who go around looking for faults and ruining their own time. I don't have to cook, clean, do laundry (that will wait til we get home), drive my kids around to their endless activities, go to work, etc - my husband and I will have 10 days alone together for only the second time in 16 years - I can deal with any problems that might pop-up - if I'm not stressed in my "real" life, how can I get stressed during my vacation?

 

We love ships and being on the water and a transatlantic crossing is one of my husband's dreams. His days will probably be spent much like yours were - out walking around on deck and taking lots and lots of pictures! Anything that involves a motor and speed impresses him and since he's an American the bigger the better. I've been trying to talk him into a Mediterranean cruise on a much smaller ship so that we could visit more offbeat spots but no luck so far!

[guernseyguy]

In my opinion, that is the price you pay to start your vacation from sailing out of New York, which is a premium experience. Knowing your whole voyage is ahead of you as you sail by the skyline is probably a better experience than knowing you are at the end of the trip and you have to go through the logistics of disembarking in a short while. I believe it would not be the same kind of jubilant feeling then going by the skyline. I am sure it is still just as interesting, but a different feeling/experience.

 

Paul,

 

Horses for Courses - as a European, there is something magical about arriving in New York, the 'New World', Statue of Liberty and all that stuff.....and yes, there are the logistics of 'returning to earth' - but as someone once said 'Go West young man! My cruise list gives a fairly clear indication of my preference!

[tandemtourer]

Paul, we have enjoyed reading your observations about the crossing. With the last installment to arrive soon I feel the same as I do when the formal clothes are packed in the suitcase on the last night out. The wonderful experience is about to draw to a close.

 

Thank you for recounting your journey both while on board (on the other thread) and after your return. Some of your favorite parts of the ship were also ours so reading about them is especially poignant.

[elaine61]

Elaine, I saw about a dozen young men and women in that age category on the trip and they appeared in passing to be having a good time. Paul

 

Paul

 

I hope there are a number of young people on board in September. Here in the UK youngsters will be back at school and university!! Let's hope they get to meet others their age.

 

Elaine

[elaine61]

Elaine,

 

I do not recall a little card. What I thought was excellent was the ship diagrams located in all the stairwells and a few other places that showed where you were, a diagram of the deck you were on, and a side view of the ship with al the deck and public rooms. I used it several times throughout the ship. Also very useful is the listing of all the public rooms right above the elevator buttons.

 

I am afraid I am the wrong person to ask about Illuminations since I slept through the whole thing. Maybe someone else could comment.

 

There were movies on board, but I never paid them any heed. National Treasure was playing once, I know. I think they play them in Illuminations. They were playing all the Fawlty Tower Episodes on TV - John Cleese's show. They were great watching when we needed to relax back at the cabin. Had us in stitches many times.

 

Paul

 

Wow those Fawlty towers episodes have been repeated time and time again here at home!! Don't know if you've ever heard or seen a programme called only fools and horses, but I could watch that time and time again and usually do!! It's a national treasure!!!!!!

 

I will be lost without my ships guide!! On P & O they have a copy of the ships decks in a little leaflet that for newcomers is a god send. Still we will have plenty of time to find all that QM2 has to offer.

 

Will report back on the film situation when we return from our trip!!

 

Elaine

[imacruizer]

There is a small ship guide in your stateroom on the QM2. It is very small and folds out to view a large guide. It is very helpful.